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Classic Southern Creamy Pea Salad with Bacon and Cheddar

A close-up of creamy pea salad mixed with a white dressing, topped generously with crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese.
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You will love this easy, make-ahead Southern Pea Salad. It combines sweet peas with a creamy, tangy dressing, crispy bacon, and sharp cheddar cheese for a perfect potluck or BBQ side dish.

Ingredients

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  • 2 (15 ounce) cans English peas, drained well
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare the bacon first. Cook the bacon until crisp. Drain the bacon on paper towels and crumble it. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the drained English peas, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and finely chopped red onion. Mix these ingredients gently.
  3. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until the dressing is smooth.
  4. Pour the creamy dressing over the pea mixture. Fold everything together carefully until the peas and mix-ins are evenly coated.
  5. Cover the bowl and chill the pea salad in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving. This allows the flavors to blend.
  6. Taste the salad before serving and add more salt or pepper if needed. Serve cold as a classic side dish.

Notes

  • For the best texture, make sure you drain the canned peas very thoroughly before mixing them into the salad.
  • You can prepare the bacon and chop the onion a day ahead to make assembly even quicker.
  • This old fashioned pea salad tastes even better the next day, making it an ideal make ahead side dish.
  • If you prefer a tangier dressing, slightly increase the amount of apple cider vinegar.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastetaught.com/classic-creamy-pea-salad-recipe/